The government warned diabetics Friday to watch for counterfeit versions of test strips commonly used to monitor blood sugar levels. The test strips, for use in glucose monitors made by a Johnson & Johnson company, were distributed nationwide, the Food and Drug Administration said in a public alert.

The phony test strips are for use with various models of Life Scan Inc.'s One Touch brand of blood glucose monitors. Life Scan is part of New Brunswick, N.J.-based Johnson & Johnson.

The counterfeit test strips could give incorrect blood glucose values, leading patients to take too little or too much insulin and suffer injury or death, the FDA said. The agency said it hasn't received any such reports.

Consumers with questions can call Life Scan at (866) 621-4855.

Introduction

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was established to be the cause of the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) in 1983. Ever since then, a lot of research has been conducted and a great deal of information has been generated regarding the ways HIV can be transmitted from one person to another.

The problem with much of the information about HIV transmission, especially on the World Wide Web, is that it speaks in very general terms. All too often, there is a lot of conflicting information as well. For example, some sources refer to oral sex as "risky," whereas others say "low risk" or "no risk." This can be very frustrating and it also leads to the spread of misinformation about the transmission of HIV.

HIV infection – and HIV testing – is a medical issue. We have developed this lesson to provide straightforward and accurate information regarding HIV transmission. However, it is important to stress that this lesson – and other sources of HIV information on the World Wide Web – should not be consulted as an alternative to medical care and testing. If you fear that you have been exposed to HIV – regardless of how low the perceived risk and no matter how much information you find on the World Wide Web – you need to get in touch with your healthcare provider or an HIV testing center.

10 Tips for Better Health

Life's lessons as explained by our mothers . . .

My doctor thinks I'm fat, I like to think I am big boned

Health professionals exhibited a significant pro-thin, anti-fat implicit bias . . .

Online support groups

Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists

The Association of Gay and Lesbian Psychiatrists (AGLP) is a professional organization of psychiatrists, psychiatry residents, and medical students which serves as a voice for the concerns of lesbians and gay men within the psychiatric community.

http://aglp.org/

Gay and Lesbian Medical Association

The Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) is a tax-exempt 501(c)3 non-profit organization working to end homophobia in healthcare. They offer referrals to GLBT doctors and heath care providers. Call (415) 255-4547 or visit their website.

http://www.glma.org/

Gay Health

Health and wellness site dedicated to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered men and women staffed by professionals from within our own community.

http://www.gayhealth.com/templates/0/index.html

Lesbian and Gay Aging Issues Network

A constituent group of the American Society on Aging, LGAIN brings together professionals nationwide who work with LGBT elders. The group's home page offers an array of resources on LGBT aging, including anextensive directory of websites with a section on health-related sites; a recommended resources list; and selected articles.

www.asaging.org/lgain

National Council Against Health Fraud

Identifes what to look for in diet scams

http://www.ncahf.org

Quackwatch, Inc.

"Your Guide to Health Fraud, Quackery, and Intelligent Decisions" A member of Consumer Federation of America, is a nonprofit corporation whose purpose is to combat health-related frauds, myths, fads, and fallacies.

http://www.quackwatch.org/

Trans Health Conference

http://www.trans-health.org/

The LGBT Health, Education and Research Trust

The Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Health, Education and Research Trust (LGBT HEART) distinguishes itself from other LGBT-specific organizations by being the only organization to offer support on a national level to cultivate future clinicians and leaders in LGBT health care.

http://www.lgbtheart.org

AIDS & HIV

Alternative Practices

Chinese Medicine, Herbs, Acupuncture, etc.

Arthritis

Resources, clinical trials and such including knee pain due to osteoarthritis.

Cancer

Diabetes

Diabetes Info & Resources

Disability

Heart

Hypertension

High Blood Pressure Info & Resources

Nutrition

Obesity & Other Weight Related Topics

Prostate

STDs

Sleep Apnea

Substance Abuse